Sports

High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann drives right through the teeth of the McCool Junction defense in last Thursday night’s game in Polk. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

High Plains senior Peyton Hofmann drives right through the teeth of the McCool Junction defense in last Thursday night’s game in Polk. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Win at Mead Has Storm girls back over. 500

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
POLK-The High Plains Storm girls basketball team had a busy week with three games, two of those on the road.On Tuesday night the Storm traveled to Dorchester where they suffered their first loss of the year to the Longhorns, 38-35.On Thursday night the McCool Junction Mustangs erased a twopoint...
Cross County senior Ella Clark locks down on defense against the EMF offensive player last Thursday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

Cross County senior Ella Clark locks down on defense against the EMF offensive player last Thursday night. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Cougars Put on Defensive Clinic at Meridian

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
DAYKIN — It was a defensive clinic.Class D-1 No. 10 Cross County won their third game in a row on Friday, beating Crossroads Conference foe Meridian 57-12 on the road.
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week.

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PCN Athletes of the Week for Dec. 11, 2025

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Each week during the school year, the Polk County News will select a male and female Athlete of the Week. Athletes of the Week are brought to you by these fine sponsors.
SRC junior Kaleigh Ruth launches the baseline jumper. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

SRC junior Kaleigh Ruth launches the baseline jumper. PCN photo by Rick Holtz.

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Twin River at SRC for Hoops Action

Rick Holtz
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
SHELBY — The Huskies girls picked up their first win of the season thanks to a fast start as Shelby-Rising City beat Twin River 48-26 at home.The Huskies opened the game with a 13-0 run, holding the Titans scoreless for most of the opening quarter.
Cross County freshman Piyper Berggren scores the first points and the first win of Cross County/Osceola girls wrestling history. Berggren went on to a third place finish at the Lakeview Invite at 105 pounds on Friday. PCN photo by Ken Kush

Cross County freshman Piyper Berggren scores the first points and the first win of Cross County/Osceola girls wrestling history. Berggren went on to a third place finish at the Lakeview Invite at 105 pounds on Friday. PCN photo by Ken Kush

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CC/O and SRC Wrestlers Compete at Lakeview

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
COLUMBUS- The era of Cross County/Osceola Twister girls wrestling officially kicked off on Friday, December 5th at the Lakeview Invite.The very first match for the firstyear team out of the gates featured freshman Piyper Berggren wrestling at 105 pounds defeating Wahoo’s Avia Anderson by pin at the...
High Plains senior Dakota Gress makes quick work of Fairbury’s Keira Bay at 125 pounds. Gress finished third at the York Invite this past Friday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains senior Dakota Gress makes quick work of Fairbury’s Keira Bay at 125 pounds. Gress finished third at the York Invite this past Friday. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Gress Sisters Medal at York

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
YORK- The York Invite was held on December 5th as 16 girls team were in action, some for the first time this year.The High Plains girls were part of the field as they had two girls in action and both came away with medals at their respective weight classes.The Adams Central girls were the team...
Cross County junior Colter Larson (21) gets inside as he works his way past the defense of Shelby-RC’s Jaxson Thompson in Friday night’s game. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Cross County junior Colter Larson (21) gets inside as he works his way past the defense of Shelby-RC’s Jaxson Thompson in Friday night’s game. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Cross County boys basketball opens 2-0

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
SHELBY- Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, the Cross County boys basketball team got through the opening week unscathed as they posted wins over McCool Junction 58-47 and Polk County rival Shelby-RC on Friday night 55-42.Cross County 55 Shelby-RC 42 The Cougars established dominance early...
Cougar’s sophomore Olive Peterson (10) works inside with Shelby-RC’s Patience Spitz (2) providing the defense for the Huskies. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

Cougar’s sophomore Olive Peterson (10) works inside with Shelby-RC’s Patience Spitz (2) providing the defense for the Huskies. PCN photo by Ken Kush.

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Cougars girls split first weekend action

Ken Kush
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
SHELBY- The Cross County Cougar girls’ basketball team opened the year with a split of their first two games.On Thursday night the McCool Junction Mustangs used a 20-5 second quarter run to open a Nice lead and held on for the 38-35 win.The Cougars were back in action the very next night as they...
High Plains freshman Taya Hans battles for one of her 13 rebounds and 12 points against Fullerton. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

High Plains freshman Taya Hans battles for one of her 13 rebounds and 12 points against Fullerton. PCN photo by Beth Sparrow.

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Storm Girls Basketball Tops Heartland Lutheran and Fullerton

Beth Sparrow
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
POLK - The Lady Storm started their season in the opposite direction, gaining two wins. They won over GI Lutheran 4332 and over Fullerton 36-16.Thursday the seniors were the scorers with Gahvi Lesiak having an excellent third quarter.